Online Summer School

15 June - 12 July

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Course Overview

This is an innovative, holistic and unique programme aimed at the serious dance student who wants to combine rigorous training with a deep understanding of the body-mind in Odissi, as well as knowledge of history, culture and philosophy as relevant to this dance form. It stems from the desire to nurture individuals who engage with dance as a complete way of living and see learning as a wholesome process, which includes self-knowledge, discipline, sense of commitment, critical thinking and creative practice.

This is a four-week programme conducted online, comprising of guided learning and independent study. You will attend group classes three times per week (Mon-Wed-Fri), where you will learn technique, dance and music theory and a piece of repertoire (Abhinaya: Chandana Charchita). You will be provided with recording of these sessions for your own practice in between classes or to use if you are not able to join live (e.g. due to time differences or other personal reasons).

In addition, you will have access to 4 sets of body-conditioning exercises, which you are expected to practice on your own, outside of class time and ideally on daily basis or three times per week. You will also have access to pre-recorded lectures and learning material that you will listen to during the corresponding week at your own time. We will then meet every Sunday (Bhumi Club) for 1 hour to discuss the content of the sessions, to ask questions or simply share thoughts or personal observations on what you have learned during the week. This is an informal context for community building and collective growth.

You will also have a 1-2-1 mentoring session, which can be arranged to take place live or you can film yourself, send the material you want to get feedback on and receive written or voice-recorded comments. The mentoring session will need to take place within the duration of the programme. You will be encouraged to define your learning goals and will be supported in addressing them during this programme.

You will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, develop your skills and knowledge of odissi and have an insight into our distinctive methodology.

If you are unable to commit to the full programme and cannot engage in a period of coached dance training, you can register and follow one or more single modules.

What are the course aims?

• Enhance your physical wellbeing and fitness through the practice of a series of body-conditioning sets.

• Develop your technical skills through the study of a variety of steps and movement combinations.

• Develop your performance skills and expand your repertoire by studying a traditional item.

• Develop your understanding of dance history, culture and philosophy as relevant to Odissi, through lectures and group discussion.

COurse Content:

Module 1: Body-Conditioning (4 sets of approx. 30’ each)- Pre-Recorded (available for daily self-practice)

• Body-Awakening

• Sun Salutation for dancers

• Bhumi Floor Barre and Standing Barre

• Traditional Sound and Soundless Exercises

Module 2: Technique, Dance and Music Theory (4 classes of 2h) - LIVE Wednesday 6.30-8.30pm BST (17-24 June and 1-8 July)

• Selection of steps in Cauka, Tribhanga and Abhanga

• Selection of Charis (Walks), Utplavana (Jumps) and Bhramaris (Turns).

• Paadabhedas and Arm Drills

• Dance Theory as in Abhinaya Darpana

• Music Theory (tala and raga)

Module 3: Practice of Basic Steps + Repertoire (8 Classes of 2h) - LIVE Monday & Friday 6.30-8.30pm BST (15-19-22-26-29 June and 3-6-10 July)

• Study of traditional piece of repertoire ‘Chandana Charchita’ (known also as Hari Riha Mugdha), choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Module 4: Lectures on Odissi History, Philosophy and Culture (4 sets of 30’-40’ each) - Pre-Recorded + LIVE Group Discussion (Bhumi Club) Sunday 2-3pm BST (21-28 June and 5-12 July)

• History of Indian classical dance and Odissi

• The Body in Hinduism and Metaphors of the Body in Odissi

• Aesthetics and Spirituality: Rasa-Bhava theory and the Geetagovinda

• Gender Representation and Female Archetypes in Odissi dance and repertoire

How will I learn?

The course combines synchronous (live) learning through the platform ZOOM, with asynchronous (pre-recorded) learning which will be made available in advance and linked to this website for you to access at your own time through a password.

You will be provided with a learning programme, which you are encouraged to follow for the duration of the course in order to make the most out of the experience. You can also modify the learning programme to suit your needs.

Level and Expectations:

The full course is tailored for an improver-intermediate level, due to the piece of repertoire being taught (Module 3), which requires a solid knowledge of odissi technique and aesthetics. All the other modules are accessible to all levels (from beginners to intermediate and advanced if you want a refresher).

If you are an absolute beginner, you can register for one or all Modules 1-2-4. You can register for Module 3 if you accept this will be challenging and you approach the piece as a way to know more about odissi repertoire.

We will aim to cover the entire piece in the 8 sessions. However, if the piece is new to you, please consider this course only a starting point, as it takes years and several layers of mentoring to embody a piece of repertoire to a satisfactory level.

It is a requirement that you study in between classes, particularly for the piece of repertoire if you want to fully enjoy and make the most of your the learning experience.

Practical Information:

LIVE Sessions (on Zoom + Recording of the Session Provided)

Monday 6.30-8.30pm: Practice of Basic Steps + Abhinaya Repertoire

Wednesday 6.30-8.30pm: Technique, Dance and Music Theory

Friday 6.30-8.30pm: Practice of Basic Steps + Abhinaya Repertoire

Sunday 2-3pm: Bhumi Club (discussion on lecture material)

FEES

Full Course Includes:

• 24h Live Dance Class (Technique + Dance and Music Theory + Repertoire + Guided practice of Basics)

• 2h Pre-recorded Body-Conditioning

• 3h Dance Lectures + 4h Bhumi Dance Club

• 1h 1-2-1 Mentoring Session to be used within the duration of the programme

• Access to all Resources and Learning Material

FEE: £200 (save £40)

Register

Upon registration, you will receive a password for each of the modules. You will use this password to access the learning material on this website.